Category Archives: Autobiography

Discombobulated

The older I’m getting Time seems to pass quicker I’m used to forgetting Dates and events – I struggle to remember People’s names. That’s bad enough Then twice a year The clocks change I always forget To alter my watch … Continue reading

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The Bow and Arrow Pub, Harold Hill

Those who have read my blog on the Pompadours pub (aka the “Flying Bottles”) may have got the impression that all of Harold Hill was a nest of malcontents, vicious thugs and criminal with no moral compass. This is not true. … Continue reading

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You Might Think I’m Nuts!

To relax, I close myself away Sometimes try to write or get creative Always in the company of music Not the frippery of teenage stuff Serious music, with body and thought Created with tender care and passion, Albenoni, Brahms, Chopin, … Continue reading

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The Flying Bottles: The Pompadours, Harold Hill Romford

  The Flying Bottles is what most people on Harold Hill called the Pompadours pub. There were many managers that attempted to run the pub when I first lived in Harold Hill and there were many more after when I left in … Continue reading

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Humbled

I believe that I have been extremely silly at various times in my life, for no better reason than part devilment and showing off.  For example in around 1970, I was given a young labourer called Mark. Our first job was replacing the … Continue reading

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To Whistle

In my younger days I used to hear various tradesmen like the milkman, coalman, knife sharpener etc. whistle as they went about their daily tasks. Drunks coming out of the pub late at night were either singing or whistling as they … Continue reading

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The 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act

Some readers of the blogs I post on these pages, might view my stories of “daring do” on building sites in my younger days as frivolous or even down-right stupid. To be honest, I would have to agree. I was … Continue reading

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Halcyon Days

Most Sundays, Mum would cook lunch, we called it dinner She spent hours perfecting it I would stand by her side and marvel How such pleasure was choreographed. No fancy measures, no stress She would explain, “Yorkshire pudding” must be … Continue reading

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A strong young man

Back in the early seventies whilst working as a newly appointed foreman plumber at the DLO (Direct Labour Organisation) for the London Borough of Hackney a job came in for a roof repair to the Stoke Newington Town Hall. Of course, … Continue reading

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Spring in the City

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